Hazel Park drops stakes

Hazel Park Harness Raceway has announced it is dropping its three remaining open stakes events from the 2005 schedule: the William C. Connors Memorial Trot; the Rose Red 3-Year-Old Filly Pace; and the Motor City 3-Year-Old Colt Pace.



"We are deeply disappointed that we are going to have to cancel the track's signature events in 2005," said director of racing Ken Marshall. "Hazel Park Harness Raceway feels that all available purse monies should be devoted solely at this time to the overnight purses. However, the horsemen's community should be fully assured that when conditions warrant, the stakes races will return bigger and stronger than ever."



Hazel Park's signature races have attracted some of the sport's biggest stars over the years. This year's top sophomore pacing filly Rainbow Blue left her mark with a track record victory in the Rose Red, an effort that followed by one year a victory by Burning Point, who went on to win year-end divisional honors. This year's Connors Trot attracted Cash Hall and Coventry, while the highly-regarded Quik Pulse Mindale competed in the Motor City Pace.



"We are still looking forward to the 2005 opening in April, which will include the unveiling of our brand new grandstand, press box, and state-of-the-art simulcast area," said Marshall. "We will also continue to host Michigan's $1 million Super Night, as well as the new $50,000 Sire Stakes finals for 4 year olds in July."

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